LA Rams: Camp Showdown IV – Terrell Lewis vs. Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

The LA Rams are most certainly searching for the guy to line up opposite veteran outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. The reason is quite simple. In much the same way as defensive back Darious Williams balances out All-Pro defensive back Jalen Ramsey, the Rams need an edge rusher to balance out the defensive front.

No, the team needs more than somebody who just pins his ears down and gets after the quarterback. Don’t get me wrong, though. Getting a ton of quarterback sacks is a lot of fun and helpful for a defense. But there is simply far more to it that goes into a veteran NFL outside linebacker’s play. They are the sole defender of the edge, the space between the last guy on the offensive line of scrimmage and the sidelines. Runs, passes, screens, sweep, misdirections, and even double team blockers, these warriors need to be good at handling it all.

We know that the Rams have one edge manned. Now the focus of the 2021 Rams training camp is to get the other position set up to succeed. To do that, the coaching staff will need to focus upon both Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, affectionately known as Obo and Terrell Lewis. Of the two, Obo is the veteran, and Lewis is the second-year player looking to make significant strides towards a highly productive NFL career.

Both players have the potential to do a good job. Both players have struggled with injuries in their short NFL careers. Finally, both players would benefit tremendously from a rebound of sorts in 2021.

There are concerns that even though the Rams have one of the most talented defensive linemen groups in the NFL and incredibly talented secondaries, the linebackers have not held up their end of the deal. Now, the golden opportunity has presented itself. The start to a robust NFL career is there for the taking for one of these players. The only question is . . . who?